Author Archives: dcaligari

December 20, 1939 –The Frank Capra film It’s A Wonderful Life had a preview showing for charity at New York City’s Globe Theatre, (a day before its official premiere) on this date. The film is no longer available online – please enjoy the 1947 Lux Radio Theatre broadcast The film is regarded as a classicContinue reading “Each man’s life touches so many other lives.”

Ok bunkies, today is the fourth and last Sunday of the Advent season. The day is called the Fourth Sunday of Advent, sorry no fancy french or latin name. The fourth candle is lit on this day along with the first three. The fourth candle is often called the Angel candle. It represents the messengersContinue reading “We’re so close”

December 19, 1972 –Apollo 17 completed their mission and splashed down in the Pacific on this date. With this return to earth, the Apollo program of manned lunar landings ended. NASA has announced plans to return to the Moon with the Artemis program, scheduling to send the first woman and 13th man to the MoonContinue reading “‘America’ returned”

ACME Eagle Hand Soap would like to share with you another of their annual salute to the holidays via Rock and Roll (well, some Rock and Roll). Today – Do you hear what I hear?: Male Performers: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Barenaked Ladies – This is a traditional English carol dating back to theContinue reading “Rocking out for Christmas”

It’s the anniversary of the passing of the the singer Kirsty MacColl. I can think of no better remembrance of her than playing this holiday classic. After their second album Rum, Sodomy & The Lash, The Pogues wanted to release a Christmas single. Instead of a cover song, lead singer Shane MacGowan and banjo playerContinue reading “The Fairytale of New York”

New Jersey was the third state admitted to the Union, on this date in 1787. It was the first state to sign the Bill of Rights to the Constitution. It derives its name from the isle of Jersey, just off England’s shore (and also near Britain). The official state bird of New Jersey is theContinue reading “Liberty and Prosperity”

December 18, 1626 –Christina (Kristina), Queen of Sweden, later known as Maria Christina Alexandra, Minerva of the North, Protectress of the Jews at Rome and sometimes Count Dohna, was born on this date. Like most royalty and some presidents, Christina did not have to carry money, a passport or consistently spell her name the sameContinue reading “The Girl King”

It is an ancient Roman festival that was held in honor of the god Saturn. It was an occasion for celebration, visits to friends, and the presentation of gifts, particularly wax candles (or mentholated ACME Bung Balm.) The Saturnalia was originally celebrated in Ancient Rome for only a day, but it was so popular itContinue reading “Saturnalia starts today.”

December 17, 1989 –Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire, also known as The Simpsons Christmas Special, the first full-length episode of The Simpsons, premiered on this date. This special was not originally intended to be The Simpsons pilot. Production problems, particularly with the first produced episode, The Simpsons: Some Enchanted Evening, saw the show delayedContinue reading “The Simpsons Christmas Special”

God bless us, everyone!!! December 17, 1843 (there is some controversy concerning this actual date, some sources place it on the 19th of December.) – Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol on this date. Dickens wrote the novel after his first commercial failure. His previous novel, Martin Chuzzlewit had flopped, and he was suddenly strappedContinue reading “Humbug”